Harry here with another positive review for ENEMY OF THE STATE from on again and off again contributor... Ben Reilly aka Hooper X. Here he takes a gander at Will Smith's next flick with that Bruckheimer fella. So here ya go...
Off and on contributor you once knew as ben reilly here. Marvel wants me to stay dead so you can now refer to me as Hooper X. Anyway just returned from century city (LA) and the "first preview audience screening" (at least thats what Jerry B. said-yes he was there!) of "enemy of the state". I'm sure you and your fans know that's the Will Smith/Gene Hackman flick directed by Tony Scott.
Overall, a very enjoyable film they've got there, and i'm sure it'll be huge this fall. I was curious to see who would adapt to who's style. Will being mister pg-13 "family friendly" action hero or Tony being the crazed visual stylist who can have a guy cross the street look frenzied with 6 cameras intercutting at a rapid pace (which doesn't make him great mind you). I am happy to note Tony Scott won out. You get to hear Will say "fuck" a few times and the MTV style cuts in a couple of scenes scream "90's action film".
The plot will confuse some idiots, but fuck em, movies are dumbed down enough already. As the trailer shows Will gets accidently involved in a crazy conspiracy cover-up scheme and has to go through hell and high water to clear his name as well as save the day. That's enough plot info for ya no need to go into every little fucking detail which todays "reviewers" seem to HAVE TO do (not just on your site either!!!).
The acting is all fine, i mean Hackman and Jon Voight can do this stuff in their sleep, while Will can handle being a likable guy well enough (I for one would like to see him play some "crazy killer" part just to show he can do it, although i'm sure this'll happen very soon). Lots of semi-known folks playing WAY small parts here-Jason Lee, Seth Green, Jamie Kennedy, etc. I guess either Jerry Bruckheimer has a lot of charm or folks just want to be in a Will Smith blockbuster flick.
Tony Scott's directing is very good here. There's not too much quick cut bull shit during the action scenes and yet there is still a nice flow to everything. I wonder how many fans can guess which film he's "paying homage to"/ripping off in the film's climax (it actually works pretty well, though hardly original).
This film is definately worth seeing and blows away all the summer action films. A very likable cast in an exciting, well crafted thriller (doesn't that just sound like a "roger siskel" quote waiting to be pulled?!!). It's the truth though, so deal with it.
Peace out Harry,
Hooper X
ps Harry, just some of your lesser IQ'd readers want to defend my picking their hero from "ID4"- i know Will Smith did the R rated "Bad Boys" but that was BEFORE he was WILL SMITH ACTION HERO/BLOCKBUSTER KING!!! (and yes he was good in "6 Degrees. . ." but see above).
pps Again, if those same retards say his name is roger EBERT send em to go see the all nite "chucky" marathon playing next weekend
